Legion of Mary

What is the Legion of Mary?

The Legion of Mary is the largest apostolic organization of lay people in the Catholic Church.  By trusting in the Holy Spirit and through Mary’s power of evangelization, this form of apostolate has spread throughout the world and is found in about 170 countries. The Legion was founded by Frank Duff in Dublin, Ireland on September 7, 1921. It has been active in the United States since 1931 and was endorsed by the Second Vatican Council. The main purpose of the Legion of Mary is to give glory to God through the sanctification of its members by prayer and active apostolic work in union with Mary. Within the Legion of Mary there are more than three million Active Members and many more Auxiliary Members.

Who are the Active Members?

Active Members are those who become instruments of the Holy Spirit through a program of prayer and works. The members meet once a week for prayer, planning, and discussion; they do 2 hours of a definite work each week, in pairs, under the guidance of their spiritual director who is named by the pastor. Works include:

• Door-to-door evangelization
• Parishioner visitations
• Faith formation instruction
• Pilgrim Virgin Statue Home Visitation
• Enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the home
• Patricians meetings (talks on matters of apologetics with time for Q & A) Patricians meet monthly at 7:00 pm; check the bulletin for date, location, and topic.
• Providing a Legion table with Catholic literature and sacramentals on various occasions
• Meeting other spiritual needs of the parish under the direction of the pastor

Who are the Auxiliary Members?

Auxiliary Members are the praying wing of the Legion of Mary. They are committed to praying every day the prayers contained in the leaflet called the Tessera, which include the invocation and prayer to the Holy Spirit, five decades of the Rosary with the invocations which follow them, the Catena (the Magnificat), and the prayers described as ‘Concluding Prayers’. It is strongly recommended that these prayers and every other legionary service be offered to Our Lady as an unreserved gift to be administered according to her intentions. Auxiliary Members do not attend a weekly meeting or perform works of service. There are no age limits with regard to auxiliary membership.

 Who is eligible to join the Legion of Mary?

The Legion of Mary is open to all Catholics in good standing with a desire to serve Our Lord Jesus Christ through the intercession of his Blessed Mother Mary. Catholics 18 years of age or older can become Active Members of an adult praesidium (basic unit of the Legion), whereas Catholics younger than 18 years of age can join a junior Legion of Mary praesidium. Catholics who are interested in joining the Legion will start with a three-to-six-month probationary period before taking their Legionary Promise to become Active Legion Members.

Our Lady Queen of All Saints Praesidium meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:15 pm in the Conference Room in the Parish Center. Guests are always welcome and may go on one of the work assignments with an experienced member.

Queen of All Saints Praesidium, Active Members: 09legionofmary15@gmail.com

Rev. Francis Peffley, Spiritual Director – frpeffley@stmaryofsorrow.org